Congressional Pathfinders

J. Michael Martinez is professor of political science and public administration courses at Kennesaw State University.

• Chapter 1: Joseph Marion Hernández: First Hispanic to Serve in Congress (1820s)Chapter 2: Hiram Rhodes Revels: First Black Man to Serve in Congress (1870)Chapter 3: Charles Curtis: First Native American to Serve in Congress (1890s-1930s)Chapter 4: Jeannette Rankin: First Woman to Serve in Congress (1910s, 1940s)Chapter 5: Oscar DePriest: First Black Man to Serve in Congress in the Twentieth Century (1920s-1930s)Chapter 6: Hattie Caraway: First Woman Elected to Serve a Full Term in the United States Senate (1930s-1940s)Chapter 7: Margaret Chase Smith: First Woman Elected to Both Chambers of Congress (1940s-1970s)Chapter 8: Daniel Inouye: Highest-Ranking Asian American to Serve in Congress (1950s-2010s)Chapter 9: Shirley Chisholm: The First Black Woman Elected to Congress (1960s-1980s)Chapter 10: Barbara Jordan: First Black Woman Elected to Congress from the South (1970s)Chapter 11: Gerry E. Studds: First Openly Gay Member of Congress (1970s-1990s)Chapter 12: Carol Moseley Braun: First Bla

Professor Mike Martinez's Congressional Pathfinders: “First” Members of Congress and How They Shaped American History is a unique and important contribution to our understanding of Congress. He writes intriguing profiles of 'famous first' members of Congress, such as the first woman in Congress, the first black member, the first openly gay member as well as many other important firsts. These members are often forgotten, but they have played key roles in the history of Congress. His study of congressional firsts is the most comprehensive of this topic to date. This is third excellent study of famous members of Congress throughout American history by Martinez. They fill a crucial gap in our understanding of the evolution of Congress.